Automatic cloth laying-up machine



Sept. 4, 1956 N. OBEDIN 2,761,575

AUTOMATIC CLOTH LAYING-UP MACHINE Filed Nov. 14 1950 T Sheets-Sheet 1 NATHAN ossom INVENTOR ATTORNEY Sept. 4, 1956 N. OBEDIN AUTOMATIC CLOTH LAYING-UP MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 14, 1950 w lw Z NATHAN OBEDIN INVENTOR BMW ATTORNEY Sept. 4, 1956 N. OBEDIN AUTOMATIC CLOTH LAYING-UP MACHINE 7 Sheet s-Sheet 4 Filed Nov.

NATHAN OBEDIN INVENTOR 8W ATTORNEY 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 14 1950 NATHAN OBEDIN \NVENTQR BM M ATTORNEY Sept. 4, 1956 N. OBEDIN AUTOMATIC CLOTH LAYING-UP MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Nov. 14, 1950.

NATHAN OBEDIN INVENTOR. 3% Mt ATTORNEY Sept. 4, 1956 Filed NOV. 14, 1950 N. OBEDIN AUTOMATIC CLOTH LAYING-UP MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 FIG."

FIG.|2

NATHAN OBEDIN INVENTOR BMW ATTORN EY United States Patent AUTOMATIC CLOTH LAYING-UP MACHINE Nathan Obedin, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application November 14, 1950, Serial No. 195,553

3 Claims. (Cl. 27031) This invention relates to improvements in a cloth laying up machine which is automatic in its action. This .invention is particularly directed to an improved drive mechanism for the fold forming or fabric folding member of such machines.

This invention is an improvement on my automatic cloth laying up machine shown in my patent application Serial No. 775,272, filed September 20, 1947, now abandoned.

In the said mechanism I have disclosed a horizontally slidable rack gear mounted lengthwise of the carriage and a pinion gear meshing with the rack gear and actuated by one of the table contacting wheels on the carriage.

An object of this invention is to secure a vertically rotatable spur gear directly on one of the stub shafts of the fold forming .member, and to provide a horizontal rod slidably mounted lengthwise of the carriage and having a vertical drive 'bar fixed thereto, a frame vertically slidably mounted on the .drive bar and having a horizontally positioned rack gear meshing with the teeth of the spur gear, the stub shaft having an extension riding in the slot, and the slot having ends forming stops for limiting the motion of the stub shaft extension and the folding member to 180 degrees.

Another object of this invention is to provide a delayed motion mechanism permitting the carriage to move a distance on the table after the stud shaft extension comes to an end of the slot, and to provide means for positively locking the folding mechanism before this additional motion takes place to prevent any motion of the fold forming member.

Another object of this invention is to provide a ratchet chain connected with the fabric folding member at a low elevation and rotatably mounted with a pawl controlled ratchet wheel at an upper elevation, the pawl being in coacting relation with the upper end of the vertical drive bar, whereby each movement of the drive bar will cause the chain to raise the fabric folding member.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention will be hereinafter more particularly described, and the combination and arrangement of parts will be shown in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims which form part of this specification.

Reference will now be had to the drawings, wherein like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of the table and the reciprocating carriage which carries the fabric folding member and the operating mechanism therefor.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of a fragmentary portion of the carriage, on an enlarged scale. 7

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line '33 in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a fragmentary portion of the fabric folding member.

Figure 5 is a front elevation of a fragmentary portion of a driving and delayed motion mechanism, drawn on an enlarged scale.

Patented Sept. 4, 1,956

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on 'line 66 in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a side elevation of the complete machine, the central portion being broken away.

Figure I8 is a top plan view showing a fragmentary portion of means of mounting a slidable frame on a rack bar.

Figure 9 is a front view of a fragmentary portion of the machine with the parts in position when the carriage is moving to the right and a transmitter shaft in contact with a stop at the end of the table.

Figure 10 is a view similar to that shown in Figure 9., with the transmitter shaft in contact with the stop at the end of the table, and a locking arm free to pass a locking .bar fixed to the carriage, and an operating gear in its left-hand position.

Figure 11 is a view similar to that shown in Figures 9 and 10 with the locking arm having passed the locking bar. The operating gear is shown in its right-hand posi- 'tion.

Figure 12 is a view similar to that shown in Figures 9 to 11 inclusive with the carriage ready to begin its motion to the left hand side of the table.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the numeral 10 indicates a cloth laying up machine which includes a table 11 on which a carriage 12 is reciprocated in any suitable manner. The carriage 12 has grooved wheels 13 which are rollable on a track 14 at one end of the table.

The carriage 12 has side walls 15 at the front end of which are "ertical guide rods 16 on which bearings 17 are slidably mounted. The fabric folding member 20 is channel shaped or of U-shaped cross-section and includes two end plates 21 each having a stub shaft 22 extending therefrom. The stub shafts 22 are in alined relation and are pivotally mounted in the bearings 17.

The fabric folding member 26 comprises a back 23 and arms .24. The back includes two rollers 25 defining a slot 26 between them to guide the fabric through the folding member.

As best shown in Figure 3, one of the stub shafts 22 has an extension 28 of smaller diameter and on which a gear 29 is fixed by a screw 39. The shaft extension 28 extends beyond the outer face of the gear 29.

Ahorizontal rod 32 is slidably mounted lengthwise of the carriage 12 in bearings 33 secured to a side face of the carriage. The rod 32 has a vertical drive bar 34 suitably fixed thereto. The rod 32 functions as a drive bar carrier.

It is also to be noted that the guide rods 16 and the slidable bearing 17 best shown in Figures 1 and 7 are duplicated at the opposite side of the carriage 12 and that a stub shaft rotatable in the slidable bearing at the far end of the carriage, supports the far end of the fabric folding member 20 for oscillatory motion.

A frame 35 of rectangular outer form, has an upright slot 36 through which the drive bar 34 passes in frictional engagement. The frame 35 is vertically slidably mounted on the drive bar 34 (Fig. 8). The frame 35 has a horizontal slot 37 therethrough. The shaft extension 28 is frictionally rotatable in the slot 37. The frame 35 has a rack bar 38 secured thereto by screws 39 and with the teeth of the rack facing downwardly in meshed engagement with the teeth of the gear 29. Movement of carriage 12 causes rotation of the gear 29, as will be explained hereinafter.

Rotation of the gear 29 causes oscillation of the fabric folding member 2%). During this rotation, the stub shaft extension 28 is slidable between the ends 40 and 41 of the slot 37. The ends of the slot 37 form stops for limiting the motion of the stub shaft extension 28 3 lengthwise of the slot 37. The length of the slot limits the movement of the fabric folding member to exactly 180 degrees.

At opposite ends of the table 11 are cloth and engaging members 44, 44, each having a standard 45 upon which are pivoted suitable arms 46 carrying cross-bars 47 provided with pins 48 spaced apart so as to pass through openings 49 in one of the arms 24 respectively, of the fabric folding member 20. Each end member 44, 44 comprises stops 55.

The end member 44 is permanently fixed to the table 11 while the end member 44 is adjustable on the table 11 to accommodate different lengths of cloth layed-up on the table.

I preferably employ two of the straight line type cloth end engaging members 44, 44 shown herewith, to secure straight line or vertical motion of the pin bar 47. Each side wall of a cloth end engaging member comprises a fixed pivot 43 upon which a link 51 is mounted.

The upper end of each link 51 carries a movable pivot 52 upon which an arm 46 is pivotally mounted. Intermediate the ends of each arm 46 is a pivot 53 which is constrained to move in a curved slot or passageway 54. The resultant motion of the free end of the pin bar 47 is vertical. The slot 54 is open at its upper end to permit the arm 46 to be swung upwardly and away from the layed up fabric on the table when it is desired to cut the layed up fabric. An arm 46' is pivoted on each standard 45 and is suitably arranged to hold the arm 46 in an upright and out of the way position, as shown in Figure 7.

The mechanism herewith also comprises what is termed a driving and delayed motion mechanism 60 (Figures and 6) which includes a carrier block 58 fixed to the transmitter shaft 55 by bolts 59. The carrier block 58 overhangs the transmitter shaft 55 and extends towards the horizontal carrier rod 32. The carrier block 58 has two cam arms 69, 69' mounted on pivots 70 and having elevated roller ends 71, 71. The cam arms 69, 69' are urged toward each other by a spring 61. As best shown in Figure 5, it will be noted that the respective arms 69 and 69 have end portions of unequal length. Also that one end portion which is substantially horizontally positioned is much longer than the other end portion which is angularly positioned. It is obvious that the elongated end portion which is substantially horizontally positioned is much heavier than the angular portion and that each arm has an inherent tendency to swing downwardly into contact with one of the rests. It is further obvious that this inherent downward motion provides the equivalent function of the spring 61, which if desired, may be dispensed with.

It is to be noted that after the fabric folding member is turned to the 180 degree operating position, it is necessary to lock the said member in such position. For this locking operation, I provide an upright locking arm 85 fixed to an oscillatable support '76. The support 76 and the arm 85 are jointly pivoted on the carrier rod 32 and pressed by a spring 86 in direction of and into engagement with an end portion of a safety locking bar 87 fixed to the front face of the cam bar 73 by screws 88. The spring 86 is held in position at its outer end by a bar 89 having its ends secured by the screws 78 to the rests 75, 75', on the carrier rod 32.

Operation of invention Assuming the fabric folding member 20 is in a 180 degree operating position, and facing rearwardly, and the locking arm 85 is in engagement with the right-hand side of the safety locking bar 87, and the carriage 12 is moved on the table 11 toward the adjustable end member 44, the following takes place. The forward end of a transmitter shaft 55 slidably mounted on the carriage 12, strikes a stop 55' on the end member 44'. This causes the transmitter shaft 55 to remain fixed, while the carriage is still moving forwardly.

For proper operation, it is required that the carriage 12 should move an additional distance of about three inches before the fabric folding member 20 is turned the full 180 degrees, when moving toward the adjustable cloth end engaging member 44. This three inch travel is to provide the time element for the folding member 20 to make a complete 180 degree swing and so that the folding member will face the pin bar 47.

During this three inch motion, and during the 180 degree rotation of the member 20 inclined arms 63, carried by the bearings 17, pass below rollers 62 on the arms 46. This lifts the arms 46 which then slide upwardly on the upper surface of the inclined arms 63. Both arms 46 and the pin bar 47 are raised and supported so as to continue a distance between the arms 24 of the folding member 20 and then drop. The pins 48 then pass through the openings 49 in one of the arms 24, and the pins engage an end portion of the layer of cloth on the table 11, as is well known in the art. The pins engage the cloth when the member 12 is moved rearwardly.

I provide the following mechanism for disengaging the locking arm 85 from the safety locking bar 87. A ball 95 is held at the free end of a stud screw 96 threaded into the carrier block 58. The ball 95 is held in laterally outwardly projecting relation from the carrier block. The locking arm 85 has a laterally inwardly projecting head 98 in alignment with the ball 95. The projecting head 98 when struck by the ball 95, swings the locking arm 85 against the tension of the spring 86, so that its vertical inner surface is clear of the vertical outer surface of the locking bar 37.

It is to be noted that for the above operation, it is necessary that relative motion be provided between the carrier rod 32 and the transmitted shaft 55.

At the end of the three inch movement the cam arm 69 is in engagement with the rest on the carrier rod 32. The interlocked engagement of the cam arm 69 with the rest 75 causes the carrier rod 32 and the rack 38 to remain stationary. The movement of the carriage causes motion to be imparted to the gear 29 until the fabric folding member 20 is turned 180 degrees to face in the opposite direction.

At the end of the three inch movement, the ball 95 strikes the inwardly projecting head 98 on the locking arm and moves the locking arm 85 out of engagement with the right hand side of the safety locking bar 87. This permits the locking bar 87 to move with the carriage until the fabric folding member 20 is in the reversed operating position. This takes place at each end of the carriage movement and only when a locking arm 85 fixed to the horizontal rod 32 is free to pass the safety locking bar 87. This motion takes place only when a transmitter shaft 55 is fixed relative to the rod 32, as shown in Figures 6, 9 and 10.

It is to be noted that on the reverse of the carriage to the left, the transmitter shaft 55 strikes the left hand cloth engaging member 44. The cam arm 69' comes into engagement with the rest 75. Simultaneously, the ball engages the locking arm 85 and moves it laterally out of engagement with the locking bar 87. This disengagement allows the carrier rod 32 to start its right-hand motion for rotation of the folding member and also carrying the locking arm 85 to the right-hand engaging end of the bar 87. At the end of the rotation of the folding member, due to the right-hand motion of the rod 32, the roller end 71' of the arm 69 engages the right-hand cam 72, thus disengaging the arm 69' from the rest 75' and the rod 32 then ceases motion. During the righthand movement of the carriage, the rod 32 moves to the left in relation to the carriage and the locking arm 85 is carried to the left engaging end of the safety locking bar 87. Further motion of the carriage 12 will move the ball 95 out of contact with the laterally inwardly projecting head 98 and this permits the tension of the spring 2,161,675 8619 cause the locking arm 85 to engage :the left hand The lockingarm 8.5 has moved to the left of the locking side .of the safety locking bar 87 and this locks the fabric ar .87 while the carriage 12 continues to move to the folding member 20. in said position, because. the locking right. Gear 29has rotated.- bar 87 prevents the locking arm 85 and the rod 32 from In Figure :12, the shaft 55 remains fixed against the making any movement. d 32 moves with the carnage 12. The It will be noted that I have provided safety stops 99, locking arm 85 isout of alignment with the ball 95.

99' fixed to the carrier rod 32 and which are engaged The disclosure in Figures 9 to 12 inclusive shows the by the cam arms 69, 69 at the completion of the carriage cooperation between the cams 72 and 80 and between rod movement, This brings the machine in position for 32 and transmitter shaft 55. This diSClOSUIC 3180 ShOWS reverse movement how the gear 29 is rotated during each cycle.

The carriage is then moved in the opposite direction In accordance with the patent statutes I have described u h Said movements are reversed and illustrated the preferred embodiment of my inven- In operation, as h l th i l d up on h bl h tlon, but it will be understood that various changes and drive bar 34 contacts a pawl carrier 10.0 pivotally fi ions can be made therein without depar i g f mounted on a shaft 101. The carrier 1.00 supports a 15 t e p ri of the invention as defined by the appended pawl 102 pivotally mounted on pin 103. The upper end clalmsof the pawl 102 is tooth shaped and normally meshes I m! with one of the teeth of a ratchet Wheel 104 fixed to the Combination Wlth a fabric P machine h ft 101 compnsmg a table, a carriage reciprocable on aid t bl A sprocket chain 105 is in engagement'with a sprocket 831d carriage having t gulde means, bearings gear 106 fixed to the shaft 101. One end of the sprocket ably P 011 531d gulde means, fabric folding chain 105 is fixed to the upper end portion of .a bearing her having Stub and b g P Y mounted on 17 The other end of the sprocket chain 105 passes 331d Stub Shafts 111 531d beaflngs, m s 011 82nd cararound a guide pulley (not shown) a d 1s fi d t th nage, each cam b'll having a bevelled cam surface, a lower end portion of the bearing 17. As the sprocket gear honzcfntal f actuated Tod slidably mounted lengthwise 104 is actuated due to the reciprocating movements of of 831d carnage, and having a t al drive bar fixed the drive bar 34, the sprocket cham 105 is tu t d d thereto at Its front end and two rests at 1ts rear end a raises the bearings 17 The fabric folding member 20 is i motlon Plechamsm 011 831d Carnage d mthus raised in -h relation from the bl 11 pnsmg a transmitter shaft, a carrier block fixed to said At th eXtreme upper right-hand corner of Figure 1 i transmltter shaft and having two arms pivotally mounted a tooth selector 110 which cooperates with the pawl careach arm hay-111g 6 end engageable th ne rier 100 in determining the number of teeth to be moved of Sam Surfaces and the P f engageable With during each right hand motion of the carriage 12. Durone Of said IeStSs a time Vertically s y nt d on m the l ft hand movements f the carriage 12, When the said drive bar and having a horizontal slot therethrough bar 32 moves to the right, the freely swinging carn'er 100 35 honzontanl/ Positioned rack, a g r ec ed t swmgs counterclockwise till it engages the selector 110. of 531d P shafts and meshi11g W the teeth of The drive bar 34 does not pass beneath the carrier 100 831d rack: 531d Stub Shaft hfllvlng Portion eXteIldlflg but only actuates it slightly. h Diner face 9 381d f, Said af xt nsion It is to be noted that, in operation when the carriage rldms 531d Slot, Slot ihavlng ends forming Stops 1 is moving to the right, the relative positions f the 40 for limiting the motion of said stub shaft extension and cams 72 and 80 in Figures 9 to 12 inclusive is as follows: 531d member to 180 degrees, 831d arms having In Figure 9, the roller 71 and cam 72 are out of coni Pomons of unequal length, whereby 0116 end P taeh Th is relative mgtion between the rod 32 and Hon of each arm is inherently movable into contacting transmitter haft 55 relation with one of said rests, a stop on said table in In Figure 10, the roller 71' and the cam 72 are i the path of movement of said transmitter shaft to bring tact, The arms 9 and 9' are in Contact with the rests sald shaft to a state of rest, further movement of said 75 and 75' carriage causing one of said arms to swing into en- In Figure 11, the roller 71' and the cam 72 are disengagement with one of said rests on said cam actuated gaged. The roller 71 and cam 80 are in engagement. Asa Tod, 131mb? movement of sald Carnage callsltlg moveresult the arms 69 and 69 are ready for disengagement ment of Sa1d gear d r atl rlof said fabric folding from the stops 75 and 75' and this causes relative motion membe? to Salt-1189 degree POSIHOII, a P g tensloned again between the rod 32 and the transmitter shaft 55. PEIWl plvoted 0n 331d c3111 10d fol lflcklng 831d foldlng In Figure 12, the roller 71 and the cam 80 are in dismember 111 tulnfid POSIUOII and locklllg Sald engagement. The arms 69 and 69 remain in disengagerod to Sa1d e and 1 3115 acting on return ment with the stops 75 and 75'. As a result there is relamono of 2 Carnage f Te1ea$1I 1g Sald P t0 Pefmlt tive motion between the rod 32 and the transmitter shaft g motlons of said mechamsms in the pp 55 irec on. I

It is to be noted that repetition of the above cycle, with combination a fabfrlc laying-11p Inachlllc the carriage 12 moving to the left, the gear 29 ill b comprising .a tabl a carr age reclprocable on said table, caused to rotate only when there is no relative motion besald carnage havmg Veftlcal gulde rods, gs tween the rod 32 and the transmitter shaft 55. ably mOunted on Said guide rods, a fabric folding m m- The relative positions of the rod 32 and the transmitter having Stub shafts and being Pivotally mounted n shaft 55 in Flgures 9 to 12 IIICILISIVC is as follows when f Stub Shafts 1n Sald F E Cam s on 8 d Carmoving h carriage to h i h nag e, each cam bar having a bevelled cam surface, a In Figure 9 h haft 55 strikes the stop 55' The red horizontal cam actuated ro d shdably mounted lengthwise 32 continues to move with the carriage 12. The locking of Sald cafrlage, and havlng a al ive bar fixed arm 85 d h h ll 95 are i spaced apart relation, thereto at its front end and two rests at its rear end, a L ki arm 35 d l ki b 37 move as a unit delayed motion mechanism on said carriage and com- In Figure 0 the transmitter h ft 55 is fi d Rod 32 prising a transmitter shaft, a carrier block fixed to said continues to move with the carriage 12. The locking arm transmltter shaft and havmg two arms Pivotally mounted and the ball are in alignment. As a result, the thereon, each arm having one end engageable with one locking arm 85 is being disengaged from the locking bar of said cam surfaces and the other end engageable with 87. one of said rests, a frame vertically shdably mounted on In Figure 11, the shaft 55 and the rod 32 are fixed. said drive bar and having a horizontal slot therethrough The locking arm 85 and the ball 95 remain in alignment. 75 and a horizontally positioned rack, a gear secured to one of said stub shafts and meshing with the teeth of said rack, said stub shaft having a portion extending beyond the outer face of said gear, said shaft extension riding in said slot, said slot having ends forming stops for limiting the motion of said stub shaft extension and said folding member to 180 degrees, said arms being spring-tensioned toward each other, a stop on said table in the path of movement of said transmitter shaft to bring said shaft to a state of rest, further movement of said carriage causing one of said arms to swing into engagement with one of said rests on said cam actuated rod, further movement of said carriage causing movement of said gear and rotation of said fabric folding member to said 180 degree position, a spring tensioned pawl pivoted on said cam rod for locking said folding member in said turned position and for locking said cam rod to said carriage, and means acting on return motion of said carriage for releasing said pawl to permit reverse motions of said mechanisms in the opposite direction.

3. In combination with a fabric-laying up machine comprising a table, a carriage reciprocable on said table, said carriage having vertical guide rods, bearings movably mounted on said guide rods, a fabric folding member having stub shafts and being pivotally mounted on said stub shafts in said bearings, cam bars on said carriage, each cam bar having a bevelled cam surface, a horizontal cam actuated rod slidably mounted lengthwise of said carriage, and having a vertical drive bar fixed thereto at its front end and two rests at its rear end, a delayed motion mechanism on said carriage and comprising a transmitter shaft, a carrier block fixed to said transmitter shaft and having two cam arms pivotally mounted thereon, each arm having one end engageable with one of 'said cam surfaces and the other end engageable with one of said rests, a frame vertically slidably mounted on said drive bar and having a horizontal slot therethrough and a horizontally positioned rack bar, a gear secured to one of said stub shafts and meshing with the teeth of said rack bar, said stub shaft having a portion extending beyond the outer face of said gear, said shaft extension riding in said slot, said slot having ends forming stops for limiting the motion of said stub shaft extension and said folding member to 180 degrees, said cam arms being spring-tensioned toward each other, movement of said carriage causing a stop on said table in the path of movement of said transmitter shaft to bring said shaft to a state of rest, further movement of said carriage causing one of said cam arms to swing into engagement with one of said rests on said cam actuated carrier rod, further movement of said carriage causing movement of said gear and rotation of said fabric folding member to said180 degree position, a spring tensioned locking arm pivoted on said carrier rod for locking said folding member in said turned position and for locking said carrier rod to said carriage, and means acting on return motion of said carriage for releasing said locking arm to permit reverse motions of said mechanisms in the opposite direction.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,257,421 Sussman Feb. 26, 1918 1,338,570 Isaacs Apr. 27, 1920 2,442,352 Gilbert Nov. 30, 1943 2,502,745 Perignat Apr. 4, 1950 

